She is well aware of the challenges in front of the nation. She says that Pakistan needs to be on its toes because of terrorism and its geographical nature.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, smiles during an interview with Reuters at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Ayesha had hard time convincing her widowed and uneducated mother, when she decided that she will join the defence forces.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, shops at the market of Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Role of women in defence is still a taboo in Pakistan, though the perception is fast changing.

In the picture, a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force takes off from Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Pakistan is not known for carrying a liberal attitude towards its womenfolk. The role of women is still ocnfined to the four walls of the house in a majority of houses. The northwestern regions of the nation are particulary infamous for their treatment of the women. Women are raped, mutilated and killed without impunity in these tribal controlled regions.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, poses for photograph as she sits in the cockpit of a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jet at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Ayesha is a part of Squadron 20, made up of 25 pilots, including Ayesha Farooq. She is assigned to fly Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jets.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, smiles during an interview with Reuters at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Though things are changing, a large number of girls are coming forward and getting them enrolled in defence forces.

She is well aware of the challenges in front of the nation. She says that Pakistan needs to be on its toes because of terrorism and its geographical nature.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, smiles during an interview with Reuters at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Ayesha had hard time convincing her widowed and uneducated mother, when she decided that she will join the defence forces.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, shops at the market of Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Role of women in defence is still a taboo in Pakistan, though the perception is fast changing.

In the picture, a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force takes off from Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Pakistan is not known for carrying a liberal attitude towards its womenfolk. The role of women is still ocnfined to the four walls of the house in a majority of houses. The northwestern regions of the nation are particulary infamous for their treatment of the women. Women are raped, mutilated and killed without impunity in these tribal controlled regions.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, poses for photograph as she sits in the cockpit of a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jet at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Ayesha is a part of Squadron 20, made up of 25 pilots, including Ayesha Farooq. She is assigned to fly Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jets.

In the picture, Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, smiles during an interview with Reuters at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

Though things are changing, a large number of girls are coming forward and getting them enrolled in defence forces.